2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Ohio
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 71 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
For return on investment in biology studies, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for biology studies. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,730. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $17,032 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $42,936. Set against $17,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for biology studies. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $29,689. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $21,750. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Miami University Hamilton landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $25,368 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $38,122 early in their careers. Set against $25,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,448 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $28,368. Set against $25,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $23,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $32,356. That is a strong return on a $23,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #10 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $19,557 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $42,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #11 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,144. Biology Studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $29,440 early in their careers. Set against $26,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University landed the #12 spot for biology studies value this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,550. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. Set against $27,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wittenberg University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,940. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $38,072. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #14 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $30,118. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Walsh University landed the #15 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,030. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $31,250. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Ohio Dominican University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,720 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ohio Dominican University generally make around $38,548. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Biology Studies graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $33,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Muskingum University earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,701. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of $28,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. In-state tuition and fees average $54,248. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $31,531. Set against $26,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Lake Erie College placed #20 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Painesville, Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,634. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Lake Erie College earn a median of $65,474 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Lourdes College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. Students from in state pay about $28,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,668 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $75,250. That is a strong return on a $29,668 median debt. Lourdes College admits about 74% of applicants.
Ashland University placed #22 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $37,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $53,377. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $33,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Mount Union admits about 78% of applicants.
Otterbein University placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $24,341. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biology studies value ranking:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
